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Sun Valley’s Favorite Holiday Activities & Events


Holiday season is fast approaching and it’s time to escape the city limits, breathe in the crisp mountain air, bask in blue skies and sunshine and surround yourself with spectacular alpine vistas and endless outdoor activities, with easy seclusion and social distancing! 

Sun Valley comes alive in holiday season with local markets, fun-filled Christmas and New Year celebrations, live music around every corner and streets lined with dazzling lights and fairy lit trees. Sun Valley is not only the “#1 ranked Ski Resort in the West for 2021”, but a charming mountain town that transforms to a winter wonderland for a snowy, family-friendly and festive holiday season.

Get outdoors on the slopes of Sun Valley Resort, relax and restore in a post-ski dip in Frenchman’s Hot Springs, take a scenic drive to Stanley for an all-white winter wonderland, more natural hot springs and spiked hot drinks or hot chocolate with a view, or linger in the vibey and vivacious ski town of Ketchum to discover all our mountain town presents off the ski-mountain.

Sun Valley Holiday Events


Open Air Holiday Market

Sun Valley Resort Village
Saturday 11th December 2021 – 11am to 7pm Sunday
12th December 2021 – 11am to 4pm

This festive, European style outdoor market is a top Sun Valley event and features all things local from handcrafted jewellery and pottery to home baked goods, skincare and floral wreaths. There’s a bar, local food vendors and Sun Valley’s best restaurants on hand so come grab a drink, get in your last-minute Christmas shopping and share a meal at Sun Valley Resort.

 

Sun Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony

Sun Valley Resort Village
Saturday 11th December 2021 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm

The Sun Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony is a fun addition to the open air market with the spectacular lighting of the Sun Valley Resort Christmas trees, live music, snacks, and so much more! The perfect way to spark your Christmas fever for the festive season.

 

Holiday Dinners at Galena Lodge

Galena Lodge
December 24th and 28th 2021

Escape the holiday crowds and plan a day at Galena lodge, only a 30-mile scenic drive north of Sun Valley. This rustic and cozy lodge is perched amongst snow covered mountains towering around and above and is known for its trails, food and pristine location. Galena Lodge will be hosting ticketed festive Holiday Dinners to relax by the fire with your drink of choice and share a gourmet 4 course feast Take a slow sunset drive to Galena Lodge in time for dinner or head up early to embark on a carefree and memorable adventure before dining. Tickets are almost sold out so be sure to book!

 

Christmas Eve Celebration

Sun Valley Resort
Friday 24th December from 4.30pm

Celebrate the holidays by taking part in Sun Valley’s line up of Christmas Eve events. The evening begins with an exquisite ice show at Sun Valley’s outdoor ice rink with complimentary cookies and cacao, and an outdoor bar on the lodge terrace. The show starts at 5:30pm and tickets are first come, first serve, so make sure to get your tickets asap! Following the Sun Valley Ice Show, head to Dollar Mountain at 6:15pm to watch the famous Torchlight Parade, a procession of skiers lighting up the slopes. This merry and marvellous night will end with an extravagant fireworks show.

 

Gallery Walk

Sun Valley Museum of the Arts
December 30th from 5pm to 7pm

Sip on wine as you fellowship with friends, meet the artists and saunter through this wonderous exhibition, engaging in and absorbing stimulating and thought-provoking artwork. This art is aimed at examining the history and cultural transformation of communities and towns in Idaho from back in World War 2 to the 21st century. This much anticipated, stirring, and serene night is a free event open to all.

 

New Year’s Eve Night Skiing and Fireworks

Sun Valley Resort’s Dollar Mountain
Friday 31st December from 5pm to 9pm

Herald in the New Year with night skiing and snowboarding on Dollar Mountain. As the sun dissolves behind the mountain peaks and the resort lights shine bright, bring your family and friends, hit the slopes and come shred under the stars as live music echoes around you, followed by Sun Valley’s finest Firework show at 9pm. This is a ticketed event and day lift tickets and seasonal passes will not be valid.

 

Live Music Events


Live music is the heartbeat of Sun Valley’s holiday season. Celebrate by putting on your dancing shoes, engaging in Christmas concerts or carols, dining with a live show, or by simply sipping your favourite mouth-watering cocktail as you lounge, fellowship and enjoy some of the region’s top acoustic artists.

 

Classic Christmas Concert

Sun Valley Opera House
December 17th and 18th 2021 at 7pm

Sun Valley’s 13th Annual Christmas Concert is a light-hearted family friendly event filled with singing, dancing, and storytelling. With low priced tickets, a cheerful atmosphere, and being one of Sun Valley’s Holiday favourites, this really is a classic you don’t want to miss.

 

Sun Valley Carolers

Sun Valley Resort Village
December 21st through 28th from 6pm to 9pm

The cherished Sun Valley Carolers will be making daily performances throughout Sun Valley Village reigning in the festivities of the holiday season. A pure delight for all ages. Be sure to reserve a table at one of the Sun Valley Resort restaurants to make a night of it.

 

Zoso – Led Zeppelin Tribute Band

Argyros Performing Arts Center, Ketchum
December 26th 2021 from 8pm to 10pm

For a gripping show and the ultimate Led Zeppelin experience reserve your space today! Zoso was formed in 1995 and with their radical visual imagery, authentic stage persona, attention to detail and unmistakeable Led Zeppelin sound they have earned themselves national recognition. If you’re in search of a night of hard rock blues, 70’s vibes, and dancing this is the event for you. This is a ticketed event available for 21+ only.

 

Limelight Hotel

Downtown Ketchum
Every Thursday through Monday throughout December
Daily Happy Hour from 3pm to 5pm
Live Music from 6pm to 9pm

The Limelight will be holding happy hour and nights of live music in their modern, yet relaxed downstairs dining and lounge area throughout the festive season. Ranging from country music to acoustic, they will be headlining local and regional artists from Aaron Golay and David Henry to Mark Mueller and Carl Massaro and much more! The Limelight presents some of Ketchum’s most unique and tasty cocktails as well as sharable appetizers and wood-fired pizzas to sip and snack as you absorb talent from all over America. A Covid vaccination card is required upon entry.

 

Duchin Lounge

Sun Valley Lodge
Every Thursday through Sunday throughout December from 6pm to 9pm

Get cozy indoors at Sun Valley’s Duchin Lounge overlooking the ice rink and mountain views or outdoors round for the firepit for aprés ski and an evening of heart inspiring blues, jazz and mellow lounge music. This luxurious lounge is classy yet casual and offers a vast selection of regional draft beers on tap, a persuasive wine and cocktail selection and a diverse lounge menu with options such as bread baskets, soups, salads, burgers, and the fresh catch of the day. An awesome way to end a day on the slopes of Sun Valley Ski Resort.

 

The Best Holiday Homes in Sun Valley


Michael’s Vacation Rentals offers the best selection of holiday homes in the heart of Sun Valley, only a short walking distance from the Sun Valley ski-lifts, downtown Ketchum and the world-famous Sun Valley Resort. Our holiday vacation rentals offer all the comforts of home, luxury amenities like toasty fireplaces and outdoor hot tubs, awe-inspiring views and easy access to the top holiday activities and events in Sun Valley (all just a short drive or free shuttle bus ride away!). Stay with us this holiday season and create family memories that last a lifetime!